Any new project initially submitted on or after September 1 is subject to the new rebate tiers for HVAC, independent of installation date

Any project initially submitted beforeSeptember 1 can take advantage of the old rebate tiers if we receive the post-upgrade documentation on or beforeDecember 15

No matter when a project was initially submitted, they will be subject to the new rebate tiers if the post-upgrade documentation is submitted after December 15

SEER

EER

HSPF

Title 24

Rebates

Tier

Split

Package

Split

Package

Split

Package

Required for all tiers as needed by Title 24

· Refrigerant Charge

· Duct Sealing

· Fan Watt

· Airflow

A/C and H/P

1

15

15

12.5

12

8.5

8.2

$500

2

16

16

13

12

9

8.2

$650

3

18

13

10

$850

minisplits Ductless

15

8.5

$250/ head
maximum $1000/project

OSHA Develops New Construction Standard for Confined Spaces, Including Crawlspaces and Attics

OSHA has developed a new construction standard for Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA) — any space that meets the following three criteria:

Is large enough for a worker to enter it;

Has limited means of entry or exit; and

Is not designed for continuous occupancy.

Confined spaces, which include attics and crawlspaces, can be very hazardous. Several tragic incidents in crawl spaces and attics have included:

Two workers died while applying primer to floor joists in a crawl space. They were burned when an incandescent work lamp ignited vapors from the primer.

A flash fire killed a worker who was spraying foam insulation in an enclosed attic. The fire was caused by poor ventilation.

Some confined spaces require that an entry permit be issued by the employer to allow and control entry into the space. Permit-required confined space (permit space)" means a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics:

(1)Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere;

(2)Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant;

(3)Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section; or

(4)Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.

This may or may not apply to attics and crawlspaces. For more information, click HERE for an informative fact sheet. Also, the language for the regulation can be found by clickingHERE.

Reminder: Rebate for Cut-In Ducts is $250 + Other Equipment Rebates

SMUD has implemented a protocol to offer a rebate for “cut-ins”, new central ducted HVAC systems installed in homes that previously had just a wall furnace or other non-central system. The ducts must be R-8 and sealed to 6% or better.

A project of this type can qualify for the normal HVAC rebate based upon the efficiency tier of the unit installed. (Note: The all-electric heating doubling of rebates would be applicable only if the existing heater is an electric built-in source, for example, baseboard electric heaters). The normal new duct rebate does not qualify in this instance because it is reserved for the replacement of existing ducts. SMUD will allow the customer to receive $250 toward this part of the project, ($500 if the home was electrically heated).The contractor shall mark the menu box for duct sealing, and make a note in Vision that this is a “cut in”.

Reminder: HPP Contractors Do Not Need to Have Insurance Documents Sent to SMUD

SMUD does not need to receive copies of proof of insurance, additionally insured, or other insurance documents. Insurance can be verified without receiving these documents and we don’t have a good way to keep track of them, so save us all some extra work. Please ask your insurance company not to send them to SMUD, unless specifically requested.

New Quick Guide Available: Thermostats

A new Quick Guide is available that discusses the different types of thermostats available and some of the thermostat requirements of the Title 24 energy code that may be triggered by home performance work. A copy can be downloaded by clicking HERE.